Is my DME right?

So I left the sleep lab with the true blue gel mask because they had to order the wisp I wanted.

Wisp came in, I gave it. 3 week try and I'm not impressed. Came today to order the mirage fx and she said that's it for 6 months. So even if this one doesn't work I can't try another for 6 months? That makes no sense to me since we can't even seriously try them until we sleep with them!

My insurance is med mutual and I use apria as a dme.

melindy wrote:So I left the sleep lab with the true blue gel mask because they had to order the wisp I wanted.

Wisp came in, I gave it. 3 week try and I'm not impressed. Came today to order the mirage fx and she said that's it for 6 months. So even if this one doesn't work I can't try another for 6 months? That makes no sense to me since we can't even seriously try them until we sleep with them!

My insurance is med mutual and I use apria as a dme.

You wanted it......you got what YOU WANTED.
I would suggest if you want a different mask, you purchase it out-of-pocket. (If you have a copy of your Rx, you can order from an online seller like CPAP(dot)COM)
If it was something the DME forced you to take or they were willing to do a "try it and see if you like it", then I'd think they would be more inclined to exchange it.
Most insurance providers have scheduled intervals where they will allow for the purchase of new masks. And, they're usually in the 3-month, 6-month or 1-year intervals.


Den

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Most everything I see and hear on hear you have 30 days to try your mask to see if you like it. If you don't the DME will send it back to the manufacturer. They aren't out anything. What you are dealing with may be your DME policy so they don't have to deal with the hassle. If that's the case I would look elsewhere or at least call your DME on it they might back down. It does take time to see if a mask will work out for you. In my own experience I have had to exchange masks that didn't work not a thing wrong with it.

I'm assuming you know that using bold and caps online equate to yelling so I'm not sure what part of my question was so stupid to make you yell at me?

I've seen many people on here talk about how it took them 20 or more masks to get the right one so I was wondering how they did that.

This is a forum to ask question about cpap and masks correct? I thought it was a perfectly normal question to ask with all the discussion regarding dme's I've seen here.

Ooops, irrelevant answer. Sorry.

Here's the deal. Most mask manufacturers allow a 30 day mask trial for their products but DMEs don't have to abide by that little deal because it means more work for them. They often might have a 1 mask swap or so many swaps within 30 days or whatever in house rule they want to implement. This varies with DMEs and they should have explained things clearly as to what their in house policy is.
You might shop around for a DME that has a more accommodating policy in regards to mask trials. There are some DMEs who will honor the 30 days trial thing no matter if you are a newbie or long time cpap user but they aren't the norm.

You can purchase from cpap.com once you give them a copy of your RX and you can purchase mask insurance so if you hate it you can return it and get the mask cost refunded.

You might also check directly with your insurance company as to how often they pay for things and what is involved.
Don't rely on what the DME says.

Thank you pigsty and AI N! Wish my DME was that helpful with their explanation. She was super short and not explanatory at all. Maybe the mirage will work and I won't have to worry about it!

Hi Melindy,

Is using another DME an option?

You also might want to search the archives for mcdover as he sells masks at a huge discount.

And also members will try masks or sell them at a discount.

49er

melindy wrote:I'm assuming you know that using bold and caps online equate to yelling so I'm not sure what part of my question was so stupid to make you yell at me?

I've seen many people on here talk about how it took them 20 or more masks to get the right one so I was wondering how they did that.

This is a forum to ask question about cpap and masks correct? I thought it was a perfectly normal question to ask with all the discussion regarding dme's I've seen here.

I wasn't "yelling", I was trying to EMPHASIZE your own words that I thought were critical in your post.
It appeared that you were "shocked" at your DME's response. That seemed strange to me. If you had discussed mask trials and exchanges with them to begin with, you probably wouldn't be asking the questions you did on the forum. You don't just "assume" that all DMEs are willing to do mask exchanges until the user finds the mask they like or that works for them.

I did LOTS of research on my first mask (UMFF) and gave it LOTS of thought before ordering it (but didn't have the luxury of trying one on). I picked the "right" one for me on the first shot.......and I bought all my stuff from CPAP(dot)COM.......so, I felt that I HAD to make sure it was the one I thought would work for me. I'm still using it eight years later. I purchased a couple of others (all out-of-pocket) over the years to try, but none measured up the first one.


Den

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My DME has allowed me to do a 30 day trial on a DeVilbiss FF silicone - it didn't work-many leaks; especially around the eyes. I took it back after 15 days - DME wrote on the paperwork that goes to the insurer that the DeVilbiss is being returned. No explanation given on the paperwork. I was issued a Mirage Quattro FF (same mask that I used when first started going on 7 months ago). It's too bad that your DME won't take the mask back. Since you're new to cpap equipment and probably don't know the ropes yet, IMO DME policy notwithstanding, they should have been lenient with you this time and explained their policy to you.

*pugsy not pigsty. Stupid phone.

Hopefully the mirage will just with and I won't have to worry about this at all. But I wanted to know ahead of time. I know others on here seem to like the mirage.

Wulfman... wrote:

melindy wrote:I'm assuming you know that using bold and caps online equate to yelling so I'm not sure what part of my question was so stupid to make you yell at me?

I've seen many people on here talk about how it took them 20 or more masks to get the right one so I was wondering how they did that.

This is a forum to ask question about cpap and masks correct? I thought it was a perfectly normal question to ask with all the discussion regarding dme's I've seen here.

I wasn't "yelling", I was trying to EMPHASIZE your own words that I thought were critical in your post.
It appeared that you were "shocked" at your DME's response. That seemed strange to me. If you had discussed mask trials and exchanges with them to begin with, you probably wouldn't be asking the questions you did on the forum. You don't just "assume" that all DMEs are willing to do mask exchanges until the user finds the mask they like or that works for them.

I did LOTS of research on my first mask (UMFF) and gave it LOTS of thought before ordering it (but didn't have the luxury of trying one on). I picked the "right" one for me on the first shot.......and I bought all my stuff from CPAP(dot)COM.......so, I felt that I HAD to make sure it was the one I thought would work for me. I'm still using it eight years later. I purchased a couple of others (all out-of-pocket) over the years to try, but none measured up the first one.


Den

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Good for you. I find your input not helpful at all as its coming across that you're superior. Again good for you. I'm still new to the sleep apnea thing and have found the sleep lab and dme not helpful at all.

Every DME I've spoken to will not take back any mask they've had to special order.
Maybe that's why I have hardly any masks from local sources.
Sleeping with a mask is the only way to determine if it will work/fit/not hurt.
I have tried at least 20 masks, because my face does not match anybody's idea of a face should look like.
(I guess they simply couldn't fathom anything so gorgeous!)
I knew the DME's are completely useless, so I decided to hurry up and find my best fit while I still have the opportunity.
The mask I find most comfortable (elan) is not one most DME's carry, or are even willing to order.
I may have to schedule road trips after retirement just to get what I need.

chunkyfrog wrote:I have tried at least 20 masks, because my face does not match anybody's idea of a face should look like.

If your avatar picture is accurate.... ;-P

That's a very valuable link hidden in your signature!

http://www.medicare.gov/Supplier/Includ ... tatus=True

a.k.a. http://url.ie/h4bf

see triple dog dare . . .
My countdown timer is running-
-got to leave my good job to be filled by a talented young-un.